Promoting Cultural Inheritance and Development by Strengthening Historical Education for Youth in the New Era

General Secretary Xi Jinping, in his speech at the Symposium on Cultural Inheritance and Development, explicitly proposed the new cultural mission of "building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation," charting the course for the development of Chinese culture in the New Era. General Secretary Xi Jinping also pointed out: "Only by comprehensively and deeply understanding the history of Chinese civilization can we more effectively promote the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture, more forcefully advance the construction of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics, and build the modern civilization of the Chinese nation." This further answers the question of how to build the modern civilization of the Chinese nation. Youth in the New Era are the vanguard and main force in building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation; we must promote cultural inheritance and development by strengthening historical education for youth in the New Era.

习近平总书记在文化传承发展座谈会的讲话中明确提出“建设中华民族现代文明”这一新的文化使命，为新时代中国文化发展指明了方向。习近平总书记还指出：“只有全面深入了解中华文明的历史，才能更有效地推动中华优秀传统文化创造性转化、创新性发展，更有力地推进中国特色社会主义文化建设，建设中华民族现代文明。”这进一步回答了如何建设中华民族现代文明的问题。新时代青年是建设中华民族现代文明的先锋队和主力军，要在加强新时代青年的历史教育中推动文化传承发展。

The Internal Logic of Promoting Cultural Inheritance and Development by Strengthening Historical Education for Youth in the New Era

在加强新时代青年的历史教育中推动文化传承发展的内在逻辑

Theoretical Logic: The Historical Status of Youth as Vanguard, Main Force, and Successors. Classical Marxist theorists have all systematically expounded on the historical status of youth. Marx and Engels, based on their analysis of the characteristics of youth, revealed their historical status. Marx believed that the growing young workers were an important driving force for the proletarian revolutionary cause. Engels, when analyzing the German workers' movement, pointed out that "it will be the German youth who will carry out this transformation," [1]1 Friedrich Engels, "Speech at the Celebration of the Fifteenth Anniversary of the 'Social-Democrat' Newspaper" (1884). asserting that the main force driving historical change was the proletarian youth. Lenin, by examining the role youth played in Russia's revolution and construction, affirmed their status as vanguard, main force, and successors, and stated that the task of building communism was to be undertaken by youth.

理论逻辑：青年的先锋队、生力军和接班人的历史地位。马克思主义经典理论家对青年的历史地位均有系统阐述。马克思、恩格斯在分析青年特征的基础上揭示了青年的历史地位，马克思认为，正在成长的青年工人是无产阶级革命事业的重要动力，恩格斯在分析德国工人运动时指出“实现这一变革的将是德国的青年”，认为推动历史变革的主要力量是无产阶级青年。列宁通过考察青年在俄国的革命和建设中所起的作用，肯定了青年的先锋队、生力军和接班人的地位，并指出建立共产主义的任务要由青年来承担。

The Communist Party of China, in the practice of Chinese revolution, construction, and reform, has further enriched and developed the Marxist view on youth. Comrade Mao Zedong once accurately described the role of youth in revolutionary movements: "Since the May Fourth Movement, what role have Chinese youth played? They have played the role of a kind of vanguard." [2]2 Mao Zedong, "The Orientation of the Youth Movement" (1939). He believed that without youth, the revolutionary ranks could not develop, and the revolution could not achieve victory. Comrade Deng Xiaoping further endowed youth with a lofty historical status, stating that "youth are our future, the inheritors of all our undertakings." [3]3 Deng Xiaoping, "Speech at the National Conference on Science and Education" (1978). He recognized the drive of youth and encouraged them to become an important force in promoting reform. General Secretary Xi Jinping, based on the historical orientation of the New Era, elaborated on the historical status of youth as vanguard, main force, and successors, pointing out: "Whether in the past, present, or future, Chinese youth have always been a vanguard force for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation!" [4]4 Xi Jinping, "Speech at the Commemoration of the Centenary of the May Fourth Movement" (2019).

中国共产党在中国革命、建设和改革实践中，进一步丰富和发展了马克思主义的青年观。毛泽东同志曾经对青年在革命运动中的作用有过准确描述：“‘五四’以来，中国青年们起了什么作用呢？起了某种先锋队的作用。”他认为，没有青年，革命队伍就得不到发展，革命就不能取得胜利。邓小平同志进一步赋予青年崇高的历史地位，认为“青年是我们的未来，我们的一切事业的继承者”，他认可青年的闯劲，鼓励青年成为推动改革的重要力量。习近平总书记基于新时代的历史方位，阐述了青年的先锋队、生力军和接班人的历史地位，指出：“无论过去、现在还是未来，中国青年始终是实现中华民族伟大复兴的先锋力量！”

In summary, the historical status of youth determines their responsibilities and commitments. Whether in times of national peril or at the critical juncture of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, youth are always the vanguard warriors who stand at the forefront of the tide.

综上可见，青年的历史地位决定了青年的责任担当，不管是在民族的危亡时刻，还是在实现中华民族伟大复兴的紧要关头，青年都是勇立潮头的先锋勇士。

Realistic Logic: The Specific Historical Mission and Special Realities of Physical and Mental Development of Youth in the New Era. Strengthening historical education for youth in the New Era is an inevitable requirement for cultural inheritance in the New Era. Currently, China is in a critical period of comprehensively building a modern socialist country. The historical mission of realizing the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is both glorious and arduous. As General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is by no means something that can be achieved easily, with beating drums and gongs, nor can it be reached overnight on a smooth path." [5]5 Xi Jinping, "Speech at the Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China" (2019). Therefore, youth in the New Era must inevitably, through receiving historical education, cultivate the ability to shoulder their historical mission, comprehensively and deeply understand the history of Chinese civilization, undertake the new cultural mission of building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation, promote the writing of a new glorious chapter for Chinese civilization, and thereby advance the realization of the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

现实逻辑：新时代青年特定的历史使命和特殊的身心发展现实。加强新时代青年的历史教育是新时代文化传承的必然要求。当前，我国正处于全面建设社会主义现代化国家的关键时期，实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦这一历史使命光荣且艰巨，正如习近平总书记所强调：“中华民族伟大复兴绝不是轻轻松松、敲锣打鼓就能实现的，也绝不是一马平川、朝夕之间就能到达的。”因此，新时代青年必然要在接受历史教育中练就担负历史使命的本领，全面深入了解中华文明的历史，承担起建设中华民族现代文明这一新的文化使命，推动中华文明续写新的辉煌篇章，进而推动实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦。

Strengthening historical education for youth in the New Era is based on the realistic characteristics of youth's physical and mental development. Youth is often the stage in life with the most active thinking and the most vigorous learning energy. Youth at this stage usually possess a strong willingness to learn new knowledge and understand new things, and have the awareness to realize their self-worth. However, they are also easily tempted by different social trends of thought, falling into confusion and affecting their healthy physical and mental development. Facing the difficulties encountered in the growth process of youth, Engels believed: "Recalling the revolutionary history of the working class can enable young people to recognize the magnificent achievements of the proletarian revolutionary predecessors, thereby consciously emulating the revolutionary martyrs and persisting in the revolution to the end, rather than being ignorant of history and mistakenly believing that the current revolutionary achievements are all their own creation." [6]6 Paraphrase of Engels's views; the exact source is not given in the original text. General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized that youth should "combine the study of Party history, the history of New China, the history of reform and opening up, and the history of socialist development, to strengthen their ideals and beliefs through learning, thinking, practice, and comprehension." [7]7 Xi Jinping, "Speech at the Central Party School (National School of Administration) for Young and Middle-aged Cadres" (2019). Therefore, strengthening historical education for youth in the New Era is extremely necessary and urgent.

加强新时代青年的历史教育是基于青年身心发展的现实特点。青年时期往往是人生中思维最活跃、学习精力最旺盛的阶段，处于这一阶段的青年通常拥有学习新知识、了解新事物的强烈意愿，具备实现自我价值的意识，但也容易受到不同社会思潮的诱惑而陷入迷茫，影响身心健康发展。面对青年成长过程中所遇到的难题，恩格斯认为：“回忆工人阶级革命史可以使青年认识到无产阶级革命前辈的丰功伟绩，从而自觉向革命先烈们看齐，坚持革命到底，而不是对历史一无所知，误以为现如今的革命功劳都是自己创造的。”习近平总书记多次强调青年要“结合学习党史、新中国史、改革开放史、社会主义发展史，在学思践悟中坚定理想信念”。因此，加强新时代青年历史教育是极为必要且迫切的。

Specific Measures for Promoting Cultural Inheritance and Development by Strengthening Historical Education for Youth in the New Era

在加强新时代青年的历史教育中推动文化传承发展的具体措施

Construct a Knowledge System for the Content of Historical Education and Strengthen Education in Historical Theory. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "On the basis of studying Party history well, we must study modern Chinese history well, study Chinese history well, and clearly understand where we come from and where we are going, clearly understand what the Chinese Communists are doing, what they have done, and what they will do, and clearly understand why we were able to succeed in the past and how we can continue to succeed in the future." [8]8 Xi Jinping, "Speech at the Conference Celebrating the Centenary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China" (2021). Learning history can enlighten the mind and increase confidence. Youth in the New Era must solidify their historical memory by studying theoretical knowledge.

构建历史教育内容的知识体系，加强历史理论教育。习近平总书记指出：“我们要在学好党史的基础上，学好中国近代史，学好中国历史，弄清楚我们从哪里来、要到哪里去，弄清楚中国共产党人是干什么的、已经干了什么、还要干什么，弄清楚过去我们为什么能够成功、未来怎样才能继续成功。”学史可以明智、增信，新时代青年必须通过学习理论知识筑牢历史记忆。

First, strengthen education on the history of Chinese civilization. Chinese civilization has a long history and is the only ancient civilization in the world that has continued to this day without interruption. Understanding and studying the long history of Chinese civilization helps youth in the New Era cultivate and form national confidence and national pride. Second, attach importance to education on modern Chinese history. Studying modern Chinese history means drawing historical lessons, learning from history to better move forward. Only by remembering historical turmoil and national suffering can youth in the New Era better cherish the peace and beauty of the present. Finally, strengthen education on the "Four Histories." [9]9 "Four Histories" (四史) is a standard Party education term referring to the history of the Communist Party of China, the history of the People's Republic of China, the history of reform and opening up, and the history of the development of socialism. The "Four Histories" include Party history, the history of New China, the history of reform and opening up, and the history of socialist development. Their content has different emphases but is closely interconnected. Specifically, the birth of Marxism promoted the development of the socialist movement; the Communist Party of China, guided by Marxism, led the Chinese people to establish New China; in the process of building New China, reform and opening up was implemented; and China is currently in and will long remain in the primary stage of socialism. In short, education on the "Four Histories" aims to clearly explain major issues such as why the Communist Party of China is capable, why Marxism works, and why socialism with Chinese characteristics is good. It has guiding significance for youth in the New Era to grasp historical initiative and shoulder historical responsibilities.

首先，加强中华文明史教育。中华文明历史悠久，是世界上唯一自古延续至今、从未中断的文明。了解并学习中华文明的悠长历史，有助于新时代青年培育形成民族自信心和民族自豪感。其次，重视中国近代史教育。学习中国近代史就是汲取历史教训，以史为鉴、更好前进。新时代青年只有铭记历史动荡与民族苦难，才能更好珍惜当下的和平与美好。最后，增强“四史”教育。“四史”包括党史、新中国史、改革开放史和社会主义发展史，内容各有侧重，相互之间联系紧密。具体而言，马克思主义的诞生推动了社会主义运动的发展，马克思主义指导下的中国共产党带领中国人民建立了新中国，在建设新中国的过程中实行了改革开放，目前我国正处于并将长期处于社会主义初级阶段。总之，“四史”教育就是要讲清楚中国共产党为什么能、马克思为什么行、中国特色社会主义为什么好等重大问题，对于新时代青年掌握历史主动、肩负历史责任具有指导意义。

Leverage the Educational Function of Historical and Cultural Heritage and Expand Historical Practice Education. Historical and cultural heritage, as the bearer of history, is a living entity containing the codes of cultural inheritance, demonstrating the strong resilience of Chinese civilization. Activating the vitality of historical and cultural heritage means letting those cultural relics and sites that carry Chinese civilization "come alive" again, exerting their educational function and expanding the historical practice education for youth in the New Era.

发挥历史文化遗产的教育功能，拓展历史实践教育。历史文化遗产作为历史的承载者，是蕴含文化传承密码的生命体，展现出了中华文明的强劲韧性。激活历史文化遗产的生命力，就是让那些承载着中华文明的文物遗迹重新“活”过来，发挥其教育功能，拓展新时代青年的历史实践教育。

As an effective supplement to theoretical education, practice education requires that educational subjects deepen their historical cognition by participating in social practice activities. For the historical education of youth in the New Era, it is necessary to fully tap into the resources of historical and cultural heritage and expand the content of practice education activities. First, leverage the educational role of history museums. "A museum is a university." [10]10 A common Chinese saying, often attributed to the museum director of the Nanjing Museum. Museums, as bridges connecting the past, present, and future, are important venues for carrying out historical practice education. Youth in the New Era should enter history museums, get close to cultural relics, experience the long-standing and profound Chinese civilization, and enhance their spiritual motivation for learning history and culture and shouldering historical missions. Second, make rational use of red education resources. [11]11 "Red education resources" refers to sites, materials, and narratives associated with the revolutionary history of the Communist Party of China. Youth in the New Era should proactively visit red bases such as old revolutionary areas, revolutionary memorial halls, and martyrs' cemeteries, and receive the baptism of the revolutionary spirit while listening to stories of revolutionary struggles. Finally, actively organize and carry out youth volunteer activities. Youth in the New Era should actively participate in volunteer activities to protect historical and cultural heritage, and establish cultural confidence in the process of promoting and protecting historical and cultural heritage.

作为理论教育的有效补充，实践教育要求教育对象通过参加社会实践活动来深化历史认知。新时代青年的历史教育，要充分挖掘历史文化遗产资源，拓展实践教育活动内容。首先，要发挥历史博物馆的教育作用。“一座博物馆就是一所大学。”博物馆作为连接过去、现在和未来的桥梁，是开展历史实践教育的重要场所。新时代青年应走进历史博物馆、走近文物，感受源远流长的中华文明，增强学习历史文化、担负历史使命的精神动力。其次，要合理利用红色教育资源。新时代青年应主动前往革命老区、革命纪念馆、烈士陵园等红色基地，在聆听革命斗争故事中接受革命精神的洗礼。最后，要积极组织开展青年志愿活动。新时代青年应积极参与保护历史文化遗产的志愿活动，在宣传和保护历史文化遗产的过程中树立文化自信。

By leveraging the media platforms of network digital technology, innovate methods of historical education. Digital media technology has broadened the avenues for cultural creation, exchange, and dissemination. In the digital age, there is an urgent need to innovate methods of historical education. We should use new media platforms to carry out historical education for youth in the New Era, stimulate young people's interest in learning history, give full play to the subjectivity of youth, and use modern technology to attract young people to actively learn history and culture.

借助网络数字技术的媒介平台，创新历史教育方法。数字媒体技术拓宽了文化创造、交流和传播的途径。数字时代，亟需创新历史教育方法，应借助新媒介平台开展新时代青年的历史教育，激发青年学习历史的兴趣，充分发挥青年主体性，利用现代技术吸引青年主动学习历史文化。

First, we must give full play to the powerful educational function of digital museums. In recent years, digital technology has been continuously integrated and developed with museums, attracting the masses to enter museums to learn about and understand Chinese history and culture, opening up new pathways for promoting the inheritance and development of Chinese culture and cultivating cultural confidence. Allowing more youth in the New Era to enter digital museums is conducive to stimulating young people's initiative to understand and learn history. Second, attention should be paid to the educational role of cultural programs in promoting cultural inheritance. For example, traditional cultural programs such as *National Treasure* and *China in the Ancient Books* [12]12 *National Treasure* and *China in the Ancient Books* are Chinese television programs that use modern media techniques to present historical artifacts and classical texts to popular audiences., by excavating the stories behind cultural relics and ancient texts, vividly present fine traditional Chinese culture, bringing a more immersive viewing experience to youth in the New Era. Therefore, promoting the production of high-quality cultural programs is an effective means of attracting youth in the New Era to participate in promoting Chinese culture. Finally, we must give full play to the social education function of social media platforms. Youth in the New Era are an important audience group for social media platforms such as WeChat, Weibo, and Douyin [13]13 WeChat and Weibo are major Chinese social media platforms; Douyin is the Chinese version of TikTok.. Strengthening historical education for youth in the New Era should be based on the platform characteristics of different social media, producing and disseminating historical and cultural content in different media forms such as pictures, videos, and text, achieving the unity of online education and offline education.

首先，要发挥数字博物馆的强大教育功能。近年来，数字技术正与博物馆不断融合发展，吸引人民群众走进博物馆，学习了解中华历史与文化，为推动中华文化传承发展与培育文化自信开辟了新途径。让更多新时代青年走入数字博物馆，有利于激发青年主动了解历史、学习历史的积极性。其次，应重视文化节目在推动文化传承中的教育作用。例如，《国家宝藏》《古籍里的中国》等传统文化节目，通过挖掘文物、古籍背后的故事，将中华优秀传统文化鲜活呈现，给新时代青年带来了更加沉浸的观看体验。因此，推动制作高质量的文化节目是吸引新时代青年参与弘扬中华文化的有效手段。最后，要发挥社交媒体平台的社会教育功能。新时代青年是微信、微博、抖音等社交媒体平台的重要受众群体，加强新时代青年的历史教育应基于不同社交媒体的平台特性，生产传播图片、视频、文字等不同媒介形式的历史文化内容，实现线上教育与线下教育相统一。

Conclusion

结 语

Building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation is a new cultural mission. As the vanguard and main force in building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation, youth in the New Era must cultivate the ability to shoulder historical missions through receiving historical education. In strengthening historical education for youth in the New Era to promote cultural inheritance and development, it is necessary to strengthen historical theory education, expand historical practice education, and innovate methods of historical education. Youth in the New Era will surely compose a glorious and brilliant song of youth by shouldering new cultural missions and promoting cultural inheritance and development. (Notes omitted)

建设中华民族现代文明是新的文化使命，新时代青年作为建设中华民族现代文明的先锋队和主力军，要在接受历史教育中练就担负历史使命的本领。在加强新时代青年的历史教育中推动文化传承发展，要加强历史理论教育、拓展历史实践教育、创新历史教育方法。新时代青年定会以担负新的文化使命、推动文化传承发展谱写光辉灿烂的青春之歌。（注释略）

Online Editor: Zhang Jian

网络编辑：张剑